Freiburg vs. Hoffenheim (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Two Bundesliga teams battling to secure a top-six finish and European qualification for next season lock horns at the Europa-Park Stadion on Saturday as Freiburg play host to Hoffenheim.
Just one point and one place separates these two teams in the table at the halfway stage, with seventh-placed Freiburg sitting marginally ahead of Hoffenheim in eighth spot.
We say: Freiburg 2-1 Hoffenheim
A closely-fought contest between two evenly-matched teams vying for European qualification could be on the cards this weekend, but Freiburg will boast the psychological edge considering their recent record in this fixture.
Hoffenheim certainly have the firepower to cause problems in the final third, but we believe Freiburg will find a way to come out on top in front of their own supporters to complete the double over their Sinsheim-based counterparts.
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FC Koln vs. Dortmund (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Top-four hopefuls Borussia Dortmund travel to RheinEnergieStadion to take on relegation-threatened FC Koln in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams meet for the first time since the opening weekend of the season back in August last year when Dortmund claimed a slender 1-0 victory at Westfalenstadion.
We say: FC Koln 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
Koln's recent home record against Dortmund bodes well for Saturday's contest, but BVB will still be regarded as firm favourites to come out on top.
Without the presence of injured duo Selke and Waldschmidt – who have scored seven of Koln's 11 Bundesliga goals this season – the hosts may struggle to pose a threat in the final third against a Dortmund outfit, who have a plethora of attacking options at their disposal.
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VfL Bochum vs. Stuttgart (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Following the postponement of Friday night's fixture, this weekend's Bundesliga action will kick off on Saturday afternoon at Vonovia Ruhrstadion, where VfL Bochum will face off against Stuttgart.
The hosts are currently in 14th place in the league standings, with 17 points over the first half of the season, while the visitors are in third place with 34 points over the same period.
We say: VfL Bochum 1-2 Stuttgart
Despite their relatively lowly league position this season, Bochum are unbeaten in their last five home league games and have scored in all eight of their games at Vonovia Ruhrstadion. However, they have struggled to keep goals out, with just one clean sheet over that period, and we feel that Stuttgart will capitalise on their opponent's defensive frailties to take the points in this one.
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Heidenheim vs. Wolfsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Heidenheim and Wolfsburg will get the second half of their 2023-24 Bundesliga season underway when they face off at Voith-Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are the final side in the top half of the league standings, with 21 points after 17 matches, while the visitors are in 11th place, just one point behind their opponents.
We say: Heidenheim 2-1 Wolfsburg
Heidenheim have made an excellent start to life in the top flight, and the key to their success has been their home form. The hosts have scored 17 goals in eight games at Voith-Arena, and we fancy them to get at least another couple here against a Wolfsburg side that have struggled on the road this term.
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Darmstadt vs. Frankfurt (Saturday, 2.30pm)
The first Hessenderby of the New Year takes centre stage at Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor as Bundesliga basement club SV Darmstadt 98 play host to top-four hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Torsten Lieberknecht's men will be seeking revenge after suffering a narrow 1-0 away defeat to the Eagles on the opening weekend of the season back in August last year.
We say: SV Darmstadt 98 1-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt got the better of Darmstadt twice in 2023 by an aggregate score of 5-2 and they will be regarded as favourites to claim maximum points on Saturday.
Darmstadt will be motivated by the prospect of ending their miserable run of form with a derby triumph on home soil, but Frankfurt should have few problems outscoring their opponents en route to claiming their third consecutive Bundesliga victory.
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RB Leipzig vs. B. Leverkusen (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Seeking to extend their lead at the Bundesliga summit, Bayer Leverkusen travel to the Red Bull Arena to take on RB Leipzig on Saturday evening.
The two teams meet for the first time since the opening weekend of the season in August last year when Die Werkself edged past Die Roten Bullen to win 3-2 in a thrilling contest at the BayArena.
We say: RB Leipzig 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen
An entertaining yet closely-fought contest is set to be in store between Leipzig and Leverkusen, who have both won three, drawn three and lost three of their last nine meetings against one another.
Leverkusen have already dropped points in two games against fellow top-four teams this term, and Leipzig are certainly no pushovers on their day, but we believe that Alonso's side will ultimately find a way to claim maximum points once again.
